Thermometer



March 2, 1937. F. R. DORFMANN THERMOMETER Filed Oct. 4, 1955 INVENTOR BY a? 4 Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE THERMOMETEB. Frank R.- Dorfmann, Richmond Hill, N. Y. Application October 4, 1935, Serial No. 43,500

3 Claims.

My invention relates to thermometers.

One object of my invention is to provide a thermometer that can be made at a very low cost and may be constructed in a manner such as to prevent injury to the bulb and tube portions thereof, and in which the bulb is inclosed and concealed from view by the frame in which it is mounted.

A further object is to provide a construction l in which the tube may be supported in the frame entirely by the bulb.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the frame is made from a material other than metal, and which is formed with its front i display surface, and its back surface, fiat, to permit close packing in shipping without danger of breaking the glass parts.

A further object is to provide a construction in which the bulb is flattened on its front and rear sides to a width approximately that of the width of the tubular portion and is positioned directly under the tubular portion, to permit the thermometer proper to occupy a space of shallow depth, thus permitting the use of thin material a for the frame.

Referring to the drawing which forms a part of this specification: L

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a" thermometer embodying my invention, showing the usual calibrations imprinted directly on. the

frame.

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 33 at Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the thermometer, the side view of which is shown in i Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental sectional view showing a modified form of construction.

l indicates the frame which I prefer to make of well seasoned wood, the thickness of which may be but little more than the thickness of the thermometer tube, thereby reducin'gthe cost of material and shipping.

In making thermometers designed for advertising purposes, all of the space above the upper and lower ends of the tube 1 I may be utilized.

In making the tube portion the front side is extended and formed V-shaped to serve as a lens, as illustrated in Fig. 3 at II, and the front edge is preferably located below the plane of the face of the frame or in line therewith, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 6; the vertical groove l2 being so formed as to permit the tube to rest therein closely adjacent the walls thereof.

In making the frame lo a circular recess I3 is formed by a drilling operation, and the groove l2 by a. milling cutter, the lower end of the groove terminating at the point It) which is a distance corresponding to the thickness of the tube below the upper wallof the recess, indicated by l3, thus providing an opening at the upper inner side of the recess thru which the tube II is passed, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2, until the bulb l4 enters the recess, after which the tube is swung inwardly into its groove to its normal position in the frame,

Cement [5 of waterproof plastic is then placed in the recess against the bulb, and holds the thermometer in its proper position while also shielding the bulb.

The location of the bulb and its shielding is important, being shielded it is not sensibly influenced by the heated breath of the observer or occasional gusts of hot or cold air passing-over it, yet the thin wall l6 conveys the heat of the atmosphere to the bulb and the thermometer. indicates the proper temperature.

By making the bulb with flat sides and in alignment with the tube, the tube does not have to be bent, and this saves an operation in making the device and also saves many thermometers from being rendered useless by reason of breakage, and/or by reason of the closure of the capillary tube by fusing or the bending operation.

In Figure 6, I have shown a globular shaped bulb and the tube slightly bent at the junction of the bulb, and for some types of thermometers I prefer this construction; for instance, in large thermometers used in exposed places where the bulb must be of large capacity.

By inclosing the bulb and shielding the tube below the plane surface, and both within the thickness of the solid frame, as illustrated, mischievous persons cannot readily hold a match under the bulb or exposed thereto; a trouble experienced many times where large thermometers are located on the outside walls of buildings for public observation.

Dispensing with means projecting outwardly from the front or rear walls, for holding the thermometer proper in position, permits them to be closely packed in shipping and reduces the cost thereof, and for advertising thermometers which must be sold at a very low price, the saving is considerable while also permitting a larger display surface for this purpose.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new:

1. A thermometer of the character described comprising a frame which is substantially of uniform thickness and is formed with flat front and rear walls; and with a groove in its front side; and a thermometer in said groove exposed to view and the bulb of which is concealed by an integral portion of the frame and rests directly thereon; and a plastic cement contacting said bulb to support it in its normal position in the frame.

2. A thermometer comprising a thin board-like frame of solid material formed with a groove in its front surface and having a recess located in its rear side adjacent the lower end of said groove in open communication therewith and shielded from view by an integral part of the frame; a thermometer the bulb of which is located in said recess and rests on the lower wall thereof and the tube of which is located in said groove, the exposed side of which lies substantially flush with the plane surface of the frame, and means in said recess for holding the thermometer in its normal position in the frame.

3. A thermometer of the character described consisting of a thin frame which is substantially uniform in thickness and is formed with a plane front surface with a. groove therein, said frame having a recess in its opposite side the upper portion of which is in open relation with said groove, and a thermometer the tube of which rests in said groove and is supported therein by its bulb which rests in said recess and contacts the lower wall thereof whereby it is positioned in the frame, the front side of said bulb being concealed by an integral portion of the frame, and means in said recess in contact with said bulb to prevent said tube from tilting in the frame.

FRANK R; DORFMANN. 

